Question No. 1: How often should I brush and floss my teeth?
Answer: It’s very important to brush after each time you eat. This can help you maintain clean and pristine teeth, gums and braces. You should also floss after each time you eat, but if you can’t, you should floss at least once a day.

Question No. 2: Why is oral hygiene important?
Answer: Oral hygiene helps you care for your braces, and when you care for your braces, your braces can care for you! You need a strong and functional appliance to achieve the smile you have always wanted. Oral hygiene also helps you prevent dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, which is very important during orthodontic treatment.

Question No. 3: Are there special tools to make oral hygiene easier?
Answer: Yes, there are many tools that can make cleaning your teeth, gums and appliance a bit more convenient. Some of those tools include water flossers, floss threaders and interdental brushes. Feel free to use them!

For more information and details about oral hygiene with braces in [city], [state], please contact [practice_name] when you have the chance. Dr. Skeet Burris, Dr. Travis Fiegle, Dr. Katie and our orthodontic team will be thrilled to give you the answers and help you need, so please dial [phone] now!

The post Find the Answers to Your Questions About Oral Hygiene With Braces Here first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

Braces are a fantastic orthodontic treatment used to straighten the teeth and jaw in your smile. Even if your teeth are straight, but your upper and lower jaw do not meet properly, you could be in for some jaw pain and problems in the future, which will need to be addressed and cared for. That is why having aligned teeth and ideal jaw alignment is beneficial for your health throughout your life.

Did you know, braces can reduce your risk of gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss over time? When your teeth are positioned incorrectly, they are more likely to store plaque and bacteria, making it hard to clean them with a toothbrush or dental floss, increasing the risk of cavities. There are several different kinds of braces. Some include traditional metal, ceramics, and clear aligners. Depending on your unique alignment, our orthodontists in [city], [state], will help you decide on which one is best for you.

If you are looking for answers about which orthodontic treatment is best for you, call [phone] to set up an appointment at [practice_name]. Our team is happy to go over options that can work for you and help you decide the right form of treatment.

The post The Importance of Braces and Oral Health first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

Brackets
Brackets are small squares that are bonded to the front of each tooth or are attached with orthodontic bands. These brackets hold the arch wires that guide the teeth to their correct positions. Brackets can be made from several materials, including stainless steel, tooth-colored ceramic or tooth-colored plastic.

Orthodontic Bands
If orthodontic bands are used, they wrap around each tooth to hold the brackets in place. Orthodontic bands can be made from stainless steel, clear or tooth-colored materials. Dr. [doctor_name] can determine if orthodontic bands are right for you.

Arch Wires
Arch wires guide the movement of the teeth to their ideal positions. They are made of metal or a clear or tooth-colored material and are attached to the brackets.

Ties
These small rubber rings or fine wires are used to attach the arch wire to the brackets.

Springs
Sometimes springs are placed on the arch wires between the brackets to pull, push, open or close the spaces between a patient’s teeth.

Elastics or Rubber Bands
Elastics or rubber bands can be attached to hooks on the brackets and worn between the upper and lower teeth. They are used to apply pressure to move the upper or lower teeth to achieve a perfect bite.

Contact [practice_name] at [phone] today for more information about braces in [city], [state], and to set up an appointment with our [dr_type].

The post How Braces Are Made first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

Loose Bracket
Brackets are the ceramic or metal squares that are attached to the front of each tooth. They can become weak or break if you chew something hard or sticky. This can cause the bracket to come loose and poke into your cheek, gums, or tongue. Put orthodontic wax over the bracket to keep it from poking the inside of your mouth. This will make things relieve discomfort until you visit Drs. Burris, Fiegle, and Katie.

Broken or Protruding Wire
If a wire sticks out or becomes damaged, it can injure your gums, tongue, or cheek. You may use the eraser on the end of a pencil to push the wire back into position. If the wire will not move to a comfortable position, put a piece of orthodontic wax over the end of the wire. If a protruding wire has caused a sore, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic rinse or with warm salt water. This will clean the area and reduce discomfort.

We invite you to contact [practice_name] at [phone] today to learn more and to schedule an appointment. When you come into our office, our friendly orthodontists in [city], [state], may adjust, reposition, or reattach the existing brackets or wires. If necessary, brackets or wires will be replaced.

The post What to Do in Case of an Orthodontic Emergency first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

If you are considering orthodontics, there are some issues about which you should think before moving ahead. Many adults have had resounding success straightening their teeth, so you should certainly discuss your options with your orthodontist, and you should talk about the issues that might be factors in your treatment.

As an adult, your jaw has stopped growing, and has also become stronger and harder. This may mean that it will take your braces longer to straighten your teeth than it might with a younger person. As an adult, you may have had gingivitis, infections or lost bone due to age, and that might not permit enough blood to flow between the roots of your teeth.

If you have an overbite, teeth may need to be removed in order for orthodontics to work. If you have had teeth extracted over the years, the spaces left behind may not be suitable places for your teeth as your orthodontics shift them into their new positions. There are also health issues unique to adults that may pose challenges for orthodontic work.

None of this means that you should not get braces or have another orthodontic procedure. What is does mean is that as an adult, you and your orthodontist need to work closely together to implement the best course of treatment for you.

If you are considering a procedure to straighten your smile, our orthodontist, Dr. [doctor_name] would love to meet with you for a consultation. If you live in the [city], [state] area and would like to make an appointment at [practice_name], call [phone] today. We’re excited to see you with a beautiful smile!

The post Adults and Orthodontics first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

Cavities and gum health problems can sometimes complicate the process and lead to unnecessary discomfort after your adjustments.

Fortunately, a consistent daily oral hygiene routine based on brushing your teeth twice and flossing at least once each day can help remove bacterial deposits from your mouth become they can promote oral health problems.

If you are having trouble brushing around braces hardware or cleaning a contoured area, you might want to try using a small interdental brush.

Sometimes braces hardware can make it difficult to floss certain areas including the gumline. To help work the strand of dental floss around wires and components you might want to try using a floss threader. It can help you remove plaque and residual food particles from all the surfaces between your teeth as well as your gumline.

Your routine dental checkup is also important for monitoring the health of your teeth and gums to catch any problems that might develop or to determine the most applicable preventative measures.

If you had braces installed in your mouth at Drs. [doctor_name]’s orthodontic office in [city] or Bluffton, [state], and you have an oral hygiene question, you can always call [phone] to speak to a staff member at [practice_name].

The post Take Care of Your Smile While Wearing Braces first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

Roast Turkey: Poultry, eggs, and fish are all packed with protein, which is excellent for mouth health. Protein-rich foods provide phosphorus, which works closely with calcium to build strong bones and teeth. So roast up that turkey, and enjoy every bite!

Mashed Potatoes: If you brush your teeth well after eating starchy foods, mashed potatoes are a great option! They are soft, so they won’t damage your braces. Add some milk or sour cream for an extra shot of calcium, and enjoy.

Steamed Carrots and Green Beans: Soft vegetables are a great way to get vitamins and minerals without the risk of breaking braces. Steam them just past al dente to make sure they are soft enough for your braces, but not mushy.

Fruit, Cheese, and Chocolate Platter: Thinly sliced and carefully arranged seasonal fruits make a spectacular dessert spread, especially when paired with cubes and blocks of various cheeses. Fruits provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your body; cheese is packed with calcium–important for strong bones. Goat cheese is especially high in calcium–and lower in fat and calories than cow’s milk cheese!

Alternatively, dip fruits in white, dark, or milk chocolate and serve with cider or eggnog. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is a good sweets option, as it melts in your mouth and doesn’t stick to your teeth.

Don’t let having braces stop you from enjoying your holiday. Prepare some of the above dishes for your family and enjoy them along with everyone else! For more information, call [practice_name] in [city], [state], at [phone]. Dr. [doctor_name] and our team are happy to help you have a happy holiday!

The post Savory Holiday Foods for Braces first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

At the same time, orthodontic components like brackets, wires, bands, and spacers can sometimes prove challenging to clean with your standard soft-bristled toothbrush. Some elements, like wires, might also make it challenging to effectively floss the gumline.

To help aid in your daily oral hygiene efforts, you might want to try including one or two special oral hygiene tools in your regimen.

An interdental brush is basically a miniature toothbrush with a tapered brush head. This can be especially helpful for cleaning hard to reach places around braces components. It might also handy for removing small food particles from bands and spacers.

A special water flosser device such as a Waterpik® might also help to loosen and wash away food deposits. Just keep in mind that this is it is not meant to fully replace the ability of dental floss to clean between teeth and the gumline.

If you’re having trouble flossing around wires and other orthodontic components, to clear the gumline, you might want to try using a floss threader. When this simple tool is loaded with waxed dental floss it can help insert the strand of dental floss in place while reducing your chances of accidentally snapping it into your gums.

If you had braces installed at [practice_name]’s orthodontic clinic in [city], [state] and you have an oral hygiene question, you can always call [phone] to speak to Dr. [doctor_name] or a member of [hisher] staff.

The post Simple Oral Hygiene Tools Can Help Your Maintain Clean Braces and Healthy Teeth first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

There are many different types of orthodontic appliances available. When it comes to braces, there are traditional braces, clear braces, ceramic braces, Damon braces, lingual braces, and more available. When it comes to clear aligners, there are many different brands available, like Invisalign® and ClearCorrect®. This makes it possible for your loved one to align their smile in any way they want!

Here is how the gift would work: Call our office and schedule a consultation appointment. Then, find something that represents a beautiful, straight smile, and list the appointment time and date on a piece of paper. Next, wrap those two things in a gift bag. When your loved one opens their gift, tell them you’re giving them their perfect smile for Christmas!

Call [practice_name] today at [phone] if you would like to know more about orthodontic treatment in [city], [state]. We also encourage you to call us if you’re interested in scheduling a consultation for your loved one. We are happy to help you, and we look forward to your phone call!

The post Orthodontic Treatment Can be the Perfect Gift You’re Looking to Give first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.

– Eating foods that are advised against by our orthodontist
– An injury to the mouth
– Brushing incorrectly in some way
– Flossing too vigorously

In the case of an orthodontic emergency, there are certain first steps that Dr. [doctor_name] recommends that you follow.

Examine the Damage
First, check the extent of the damage. If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place.

Act
If the bracket is attached, but protruding, use a cotton swab to gently and carefully push it back into place. Orthodontic wax can be used to hold the bracket in its correct position until you can come to [practice_name]. If the wires are protruding, carefully press them back against the tooth and cover them with orthodontic wax to prevent an oral injury.

Schedule an Appointment
It is very important that you book an appointment with our [dr_type] in [city], [state], as soon as you can to have the bracket repaired. Let us know whether you will be bringing the parts of the bracket with you to your appointment.

Minimize Damage
In the time leading up to your visit, regularly rinse out your mouth with salt water to promote healing. In addition, eat soft foods to avoid further damage to your braces. Avoid foods that are hard or crunchy.

We welcome you to contact our office today at [phone] to learn more and to book an appointment.

The post First Response to a Broken Bracket first appeared on Winning Orthodontic Smiles.